Obituary of Uthmaan Abdul Muizz Andrews

Paul Victor Andrews, the second oldest son of Joseph Andrews Jr. and Irene Rudolph Andrews, was born on October 23, 1955 at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Chelsea Massachusetts. The Andrews family was a military family, with Paul’s father holding the rank of Sergeant in the United States Army. Joe and Irene moved their three young children, Drew, Paul and Joy to El Paso Texas where they lived until moving to Indianapolis where the youngest, Initta was born. Eventually the family moved back to Boston where they established permanent roots. Paul’s early childhood, adolescent and teenage years were fairly typical. He attended Boston Public Schools, was a member of the Church of Christ, spent his free time playing sports and hanging out with his cousins. Paul was quiet and somewhat of an introvert when he was young but blossomed into a popular and confident man as he got older. When Paul was old enough, about 12 years old, he had his first experience at summer overnight camp, which was a family tradition. Paul, Joy and Drew, as well as several cousins, spent many summers at Gander Brook Christian Camp in Maine. Paul was baptized during a summer stay at the camp and spoke fondly of his summers at the camp; Paul’s family life was a happy one. Unfortunately for the family, Joe and Irene went on to divorce which took a toll on the family structure and the children. As an adolescent Paul made some poor choices that lead to his incarceration. However, while incarcerated Paul obtained his high school diploma and attended college classes through Ashland Community College in Kentucky and the University of Kentucky. Paul embraced Islam in the late 80’s and was given the name Uthmaan, which means generous. His life as a Muslim and his faith helped to guide him and bring him peace during a very turbulent time in his life. He first began creating art in the 80’s, and surprisingly, it wasn’t in the fine arts. He showed an interest in fashion design that led to Uthmaan learning to design and make leather products that included: wallets, belts, women’s purses, leather messenger bags, shoes and vests. Uthmaan’s development as an artist started when he entered the USP Lewisburg’s Art Program. He had his first solo art exhibit in 1993 in Lewisburg’s Education Department. His second solo exhibit was held at Curry College in Milton Massachusetts in 1994. Uthmaan began teaching art in 1995 at the Lewisburg Education Department and continued teaching art classes until his release. In 1996 his art was exhibited at Artscape Fine Arts Marketplace at Baltimore’s annual Art Show. In 1997 Uthmaan produced the art for the cover of the Book, On A Mission: Selected Poems & a History of the Last Poets. In 2007, Uthmaan’s solo exhibit was held at The Gallery, at The Piano Factory in Boston. In 2010 his art was on display at Pho & I Restaurant in Boston. Uthmaan went on to become the artist in residency at Whittier Street Health Center and in 2011 Uthmaan’s art was exhibited at the Whittier Street Health Center in celebration of Black History Month. Uthman was passionate about being creative. It did not matter if he was sitting at an easel or if he was behind the camera. His creativity was his blessing and creating art was his love. Uthmaan was a kind, sensitive and gentle man. He was charitable, generous with his time, and would do anything for family, friends, and his community. He was strengthened by his faith and his belief that his mother’s prayers kept him alive. Uthmaan was called home on March 8, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Andrews Jr. and Irene Rudolph Andrews, and his niece, Riqui Andrews. Uthmaan is survived by his brother, Joseph Andrews III and sisters, Joy Marie Andrews, Initta Louise Andrews, and Kimberly Hicklin-Lester, nephews, Jerry Andrews, Lee T Laury, Mark C Laury, Deric A. Britton, Lawrence Andrews, Giovanni Munoz, Devin L Britton, nieces Indya Andrews, Shara Andrews- Mines, Janay Andrews, Miah S.I. Andrews, 7 grand nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Uthmaan was loved, embraced, and supported by his extended family the Cabral’s.